Buying comics can be an expensive hobby. A lot of fans simply can’t afford everything they’re interested in, due to rising prices and the over-saturation of the market with superhero titles.
That’s why we’re here. Every week, the Multiversity staff is asked “What would you buy this week if you couldn’t go over $20?” and shares their reasons why, in order to help others who might have similar tastes make their own decisions in buying comics on a budget. Be sure to leave your own picks in the comments!
Leo’s Picks:
Manifest Destiny #24 ($2.99) – This issue wraps up the ‘Sasquatch’ arc of “Manifest Destiny” and is sure to have some big ramifications for the Corps of Discovery going forward. After all that’s been revealed so far in this arc, I’m not sure what else they can reveal without giving too much away.
Horizon #4 ($2.99) – “Horizon” continues its strong start. So far it’s been a good mix of action, sci-fi stuff, drama, and a dash of romance. Here’s hoping that momentum continues and we keep getting another solid series from Image/Skybound.
Black Hammer #4 ($3.99) – “Black Hammer” continues to be a really good read, examining the relationships between these heroes and their respective pasts in interesting, thoughtful ways. This issue sees Abraham bringing his girlfriend to the house, which is sure to be a disaster, given how dysfunctional the “family” is in most interactions. Tie that into the revelations at the end of last issue, and things are steadily getting more interesting in “Black Hammer”.
Total: $9.97. A light week, but I didn’t count the “Art of Fire Emblem Awakening” hardcover that Dark Horse is putting out. I’m a big fan of the games and this is going to be a nice birthday present for myself this week. While it’s $39.99 from Dark Horse/comic shops/book stores, it’s ~$25 on Amazon, for those interested.
Mark’s Picks:
Harrow County #17 ($3.99) — Carla Speed McNeil returns to the series after her one-shot in issue #9, this time doing a two-parter about the Abandoned. The Abandoned has raised question after question since its introduction in the first arc. It’s motivations are especially cryptic; a creature that seemingly despises Emmy also seems to have deep seeded loyalty to her. I’m eager to read it.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #146 ($3.99) — The penultimate issue of the “Hell on Earth” cycle. The issue left me speechless. I’m going to need recovery time to process.
Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1954 #2—Black Sun – Part 2 ($3.99) — I haven’t read this one yet, but I’m excited about it, especially since the last issue of “Rise of the Black Flame” name dropped the Black Sun. I wonder if that’s a connection that’ll be explored here. Plus I really want to see Stephen Green go big in this issue (and I’m sure he will).
Rumble #15 ($3.50) — This issue wraps up the third arc. Last issue was pretty madcap, featuring some of the best lines in the series so far (“You pooped me?” “… If any word can be put to the process, I might say it was emesis.”) and raising the stakes higher than ever. This is definitely the best arc of the series yet.
Invader Zim #14 ($3.99) — I just finished reading the second collection (#6–10), so I recommending this issue on the strength of those. Issue #14 is written by Eric Trueheart, who wrote some of the best episodes of the show, and his issues of the comic always seem to be a cut above the rest. The only thing I’m missing from the TV series to the comics is the occasional mythology story, like “Tak, the Hideous New Girl,” which ramps up the stakes a bit more, or the occasional epic story, like any of the double episodes, which in comic form would span multiple issues. The one and done issues are great, but in a collection there is a bit of sameness to the mood that gets repetitive.
Total: $19.46. This was a predictably good week with a whole bunch of my favorites coming out.
Matt Garcia’s Picks:
Love & Rockets Magazine #1 ($4.99) – The legacy continues! “Love & Rockets,” Los Bros Hernadez’s magnus opus of short stories, ongoing dramas, and expert cartooning returns to single issues. Fantagraphics promises the book will be welcoming to new readers, but part of the joy of “Love & Rockets” is simply immersing yourself in its world.
Cave Carson has a Cybernetic Eye ($3.99) – And here we have the Young Animal book with the best title. Hopefully the rest of the book is as cool.
Cowboys and Insects ($4.99) – David Hine and Shaky Kane deliver a tribute to ’50s creature features. I don’t know much more about this, except the concept seems cool.
Die Kitty Die ($3.99) – Dan Parent and Fernando Ruiz make essentially “Perfect Blue”, but both creators have a fairly solid track record so this might be cool. A Kickstarter success, this print version is being released through Chapterhouse Comics.
Total: $17.96.
Greg’s Picks:
The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story – Expanded Edition TPB ($14.99) – I know it always looks a little weird to have a trade paperback listed in this column because we’re trying to keep the overall cost down while getting as much bang for our buck as possible, and these collections can be space-hogs. But this is a softcover version of a previous hardcover original graphic novel, so this is the cheapest way to get this material on your shelf. And trust me, you want this Eisner-winning comic on your shelf. Whether you’re a Beatles fan (or not), the craft on display in this magical biography of the man who brought us the Fab Four transcends appreciation for the subject matter alone. Writer Vivek J. Tiwary makes a hell of a comics debut with this book (you can hear him talk with me about it on his Robots From Tomorrow episode), and guest artist Kyle Baker hits just the right notes with his interlude pages, but this silent take on a musical subject sings because of Andrew Robinson’s interior painted work. Yes there’s additional back matter, and yes this story is being made into a TV miniseries by Tiwary in (fingers crossed) 2017, but Robinson alone at this cheapest of prices makes this an essential purchase.
DKIII: The Master Race #6 ($5.99) – Now going from something that couldn’t be cheaper to something that SHOULD be cheaper. I say should because as far as I’m concerned, this comic should be 75 cents since that’s what DC Comics cost in 1985, the period this story evokes more than any post-millennial era. This feels like a run of “DC Comics Presents” issues just before “Crisis” came and put all the Kryptonian toys back in the toybox and locked it for years. The execution is 21st Century Kubert & Janson with the Azz-Miller sheen, but the heart pumping away below the surface feels as much Steve Gerber (circa “The Phantom Zone” miniseries) as any of them. And just in case you think I’m COMPLETELY crazy (or more so than usual), consider this: Miller & Gerber collaborated on pitches for DC post-“Crisis” relaunch titles. So I’m willing to bet there’s some small chunk of Gerber DNA in all this Kryptonian mayhem we’re getting from the usually street-level Azzarello and Miller.
Total: $20.98
Matt Meylikhov’s Picks:
Mockingbird #8 ($3.99) – RIP Mockingbird. Your book was too wonderful for this world.
Faith #4 ($3.99) – Every issue of Faith turns out to be more charming than the last; easily Valiant’s most accessible comic book for comic fans.
Black Panther #7 ($3.99) – I’ve enjoyed Ta-Nehisi Coates’ dense, dark and political thriller iteration of Black Panther, and with last issue teasing the return of The Crew, it should be interesting to see what this team does in terms of changing the landscape of the book.
I Hate Fairyland #10 ($3.50) – Scottie Young’s manic fever dream of a book consistently brings the laughs, as Young continuously unloads all his wild ideas straight onto the page.
Dept H #7 ($3.99) – Kindt continues his trend of layered storytelling with another tense mystery book, and the book seems to be pushing Kindt out of his normal depth, which is a good thing.
Continued belowTotal: $19.46
Brian’s Picks:
Trinity #2 ($2.99) – The first issue of “Trinity” is, perhaps, the best we’ve seen DC Comics in close to a decade. Not just in terms of content, but tone, vision, everything. I’m aching for more.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth” #146 ($3.50) – The end is nigh.
Superman #9 ($2.99) – Tomasi, Gleason, and Mahnke mine Darwyn Cooke territory, and what isn’t to like about that?
Rumble #15 ($3.50) – Harren and Arcudi are master storytellers who are even better when they’re working together. If you’re not caught up on “Rumble,” it is time to do so.
Total: $12.98
Ken’s Pick:
Tokyo Ghoul vol. 9 ($8.99): Your bi-monthly reminder that this book is one of the best things coming out.
Total: $8.99 – No, seriously, it’s real good.
